JPH0229891A - Pos system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the reliability of sales control data in the whole shop by inhibiting the sales registering work of a POS terminal storing a program different from that included in a POS controller. CONSTITUTION:When a program number collecting command is sent from the POS controller to respective POS terminals, the program numbers of sales registering work programs stored in a storage part by respective POS terminals are returned and received by the POS controller. The program number of each POS terminal is compared with the program number of the sales registering work program included in the POS controller, an alarm message is sent to the POS terminal having the program of a different program number to inhibit the sales registering work of the POS terminal receiving the alarm message. Consequently, the reliability of the sales control data in the whole shop can be improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is applicable to POS (point of sale) used in large stores that require multiple electronic cash registers.
Regarding the system.

[Conventional technology] Conventionally, PO has been able to collectively manage product sales data registered for sale at multiple electronic cash registers.
Common S systems include master satellite POS systems and in-store online POS systems.

A master satellite POS system connects multiple electronic cash registers via a line, and connects an external memory file for aggregating sales data to this line, allowing one of each electronic cash register to function as a master machine. The satellite machine performs sales registration work as a regular electronic cash register, and the master machine functions as a satellite machine and also manages sales at each satellite machine. It manages sales for the entire store by collecting data and updating external memory files. That is, the satellite machine functions as a POS terminal, and the master machine functions as a POS controller that controls each PO8 terminal in addition to its function as a POS terminal.

An in-store POS system has a configuration in which multiple electronic cash registers and one computer are connected online, and an external file memory is formed in the storage section of the computer. It collects sales data from the register and updates the external file memory, and uses the computing functions of the computer to perform more advanced sales management than the master machine. In other words, an electronic cash register functions as a POS terminal, and a computer functions as a POS terminal.
Functions as a controller.

By the way, in either the master satellite type POS system or the in-store type POS system, the POS terminal performs sales registration work according to a program stored in its respective storage unit, but this program is not incorporated into the system. The data is loaded to each POS terminal by the POS controller so that each POS terminal operates in the same way. For example, if there is a change in the program due to an upgrade in system functionality, the POS controller will send the changed program data to each POS terminal via the line, and
The terminal receives this program data and writes it into its own memory. Therefore, normally the program for each POS terminal is the same and operates normally in response to commands from the POS controller, but if there is a POS terminal that is not powered on when a new program is loaded, this POS terminal
As for the S terminal, since the new program is not loaded, it runs with the old program and there is a risk of abnormal operation.

Therefore, in conventional POS systems of this type, for example, before opening a store, the POS controller sends the program number, so-called program version, assigned to the current sales registration business program to each POS terminal, and
A program check function was provided in which the terminal compares the program version of the program stored in its own storage unit, and if there is a discrepancy, a warning message is displayed on the POS terminal. Then, in order to check which program is different when a warning message is displayed,
Each POS terminal was equipped with a function to print out its own program version.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in conventional POS systems of this type, even if a POS terminal is displayed as a warning by the program check function, programs of different versions are stored in the storage unit and cannot be used. be. For this reason, for example, a store clerk may miss a warning display and perform sales registration work, and in this case, the registered sales data is not collected by the POS controller, resulting in incomplete sales management for the store as a whole. There was a risk.

Although the POS terminal on which the warning message has been displayed and output as described above is operable, its operation is abnormal when viewed from the perspective of the entire system. Therefore, the program of the POS terminal had to be changed immediately, and the store manager had to perform the operation again to load the POS controller program to the POS terminal.

Additionally, since the POS controller cannot recognize POS terminals displaying warning messages, the manager must patrol the store during program check operations to confirm whether there are POS terminals displaying warning messages, and if they are found. It was necessary to print out the program version of this terminal, which was very complicated.

Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a POS system that can prohibit sales registration operations for POS terminals in which a program different from that of the POS controller is stored, and that can improve the reliability of sales management data for the entire store. It is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a POS system that can automatically change the program of a POS terminal in which a program different from that of the POS controller is stored, thereby reducing the burden on the administrator.

Furthermore, the program number of each POS terminal is
A POS that can be output all at once on the controller side and stores a program different from that of the POS controller.
The aim is to provide a POS system that can easily recognize S terminals.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention includes a plurality of POS terminals each executing a sales registration business based on a program stored in a storage unit, and controlling each of these POS terminals by connecting them via a line. In a POS system consisting of a POS controller that collects sales data of products registered for sale at each POS terminal and performs sales management, the POS controller stores a program number of a program stored in the storage unit for each POS terminal. a command sending means for sending a collection command; a program number receiving means for receiving a program number returned from each POS terminal in response to the collection command sent by the sending means;
a program identification information comparing means for comparing the program number of each POS terminal received by the receiving means with the program number of the sales registration business program owned by the POS terminal; a warning message output means for outputting a warning message to the POS terminal when a POS terminal having the POS terminal is detected;
A program number response means for responding with a program number of a program stored in a storage unit in response to a collection command from an S controller, and a registration business prohibition means for prohibiting a sales registration business in response to a warning message from a POS controller. It is prepared.

Further, the present invention provides a POS controller with a program transmitting means for transmitting its own sales registration business program to the POS terminal that outputs the warning message by the warning message output means, and the POS terminal is configured to perform the registration business. A program update means is added which, when receiving program data from a POS controller in a state in which sales registration work is prohibited by the prohibition means, writes this data into a storage section to cancel the prohibited state of sales registration work.

Further, in the present invention, the POS controller is further provided with program number output means for outputting the program number of each POS terminal received by the program number receiving means.

[Operation] If the POS system has the configuration described above, the POS
When a program number collection command is sent from the controller to each POS terminal, each POS terminal returns the program number of the sales registration business program stored in the storage section, and is received by the POS controller. Then, the program number of each POS terminal is compared with the program number of the sales registration business program possessed by the POS controller, and a warning message is sent to the POS terminal having a program with a different number. However, the PO that received this warning message
Sales registration operations are prohibited at S Terminal. Therefore, the problem of sales registration being performed at a POS terminal in which a program with a different number from the program number of the sales registration business program possessed by the POS controller is stored in the storage section can be prevented.

In addition, POs whose sales registration operations are prohibited due to the above-mentioned effects
The POS controller sends its own sales registration business program to the S terminal, and the POS terminal that receives this program data stores the received program in its storage section, and the prohibited state of sales registration business is released. Therefore, the program for the POS terminal is automatically updated.

Additionally, each PO in response to the program number collection command
When the S terminal returns the program number of the sales registration business program stored in the storage unit, each POS
The terminal program numbers are output all at once. Therefore, from this output content, the POS controller stores a program different from that of the POS controller.
The terminal can be recognized on the POS controller side.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained using the master sensor 11 shown in FIG. P
An embodiment applied to an OS system will be described with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a master terminal, 2.2.・
... are satellite terminals, 3 is a file controller, and these are connected in a closed loop by a line 4.

As shown in Fig. 2, the master terminal 1 includes a CPU II as a main control unit, a ROM 12 for storing fixed data, a RAM 13 for storing variable data, "registration", "payment", "setting", "master j", etc. a mode switch 14 for selecting various business modes, a dip switch 15 for switching whether or not to print the program numbers collected from each satellite terminal 2, and an I10 port for inputting signals from the mode switch 14 and dip switch 15. 16. Drawer 1 for storing cash etc.
7. A drawer opening device 18 for opening the drawer 17, a dot printer 19 for printing on receipts and journals, a printer drive circuit 20 for driving this dot printer 19, and a drive circuit for the drawer opening device 18 and printer drive circuit 20, respectively. I10 that outputs a signal
A port 21, a keyboard 22 for inputting sales data of each sales product, a keyboard circuit 23 for inputting and processing key signals from this keyboard 22, a display section 24 for displaying sales data entered manually, and this A display control circuit 25 that drives and controls the display section 24, and a transmission control circuit 2 that controls data transmission performed via the line 4.
It consists of 6, etc.

It should be noted that the "registration" task is a task of accumulatively registering sales data, such as the price of each item sold, in the storage unit, and printing the results on a receipt or the like.

A "settlement" operation is, for example, at the end of a day's work, printing out the sales amount, i.e., the total amount of sales, the number of items sold, i.e., the total number of sales points, etc. that have been cumulatively registered in the storage section by the "registration" operation at the end of the day's work, and then prints out the stored contents of the storage section. The task is to clear the The "setting" task is a task in which information necessary for performing tasks such as "registration" and "accounting" is stored in advance in the storage unit. The "master" work is a work that sets and changes product data files formed in the storage section of the file controller 3 and outputs individual reports of each satellite terminal 2.

The keyboard 22 includes numeric keys for inputting amounts such as 2 points, a code key for inputting codes set for each sales product, a subtotal key, and a deposit key that functions as a closing key for sales registration for one customer. In addition to the sales registration keys such as the cash register key, a store opening key is provided, which is used when checking the program of each satellite terminal 2 at the time of store opening.

The display section 24 is provided with a dot display capable of electronically displaying two numbers, etc. in 2 rows and 16 columns, and a try mark for displaying the status of the equipment by lighting.

On the other hand, the satellite terminal 2 has the same configuration as the master terminal 1, except that it does not have the "master" function, the dip switch 15, and the store oven key is not provided on the keyboard.
The explanation here will be omitted.

The file controller 3, as shown in FIG.
In addition to U31, ROM32, RAM33, JAN, EA
A file memory 34 in which a product data file for compiling sales data of the corresponding product by product code such as N, UPC, etc. is formed, and a floppy disk in which programs for each terminal to perform sales registration work are recorded. It is composed of a floppy disk controller (hereinafter referred to as FDC) 35 that reads data from the FDC, an I10 port 36 that outputs a drive signal to the FDC 35, a transmission control circuit 37 that controls data transmission via the line 4, etc. In a POS system with such a configuration, the "master" business is selected by the mode switch 14 in the master terminal 1, and the floppy disk on which the sales registration business program is recorded is loaded into the FDC 35 in the file controller 3. In this state, when a specific key operation on the keyboard 22 on the master terminal 1 is performed, the sales registration business program on the floppy disk is transmitted from the file controller 3 via the line 4 to each terminal 1.2. 2
The received sales registration business program is stored in RAM.
write to the specified memory.

Thus, each terminal 1.2 performs the sales registration service according to the sales registration service program stored in the RAM. In other words, when product sales data is registered by key operations on the keyboard at each terminal 1 and 2,
The sales data is collected in the file controller 3 via the line 4 and cumulatively registered in the file memory for each product code, thereby managing the sales of the entire store.

By the way, when the "master" business is selected by the mode switch 14 in the master terminal 1 and the floppy disk on which the sales registration business program is recorded is loaded into the FDC 35 in the file controller 3, the keyboard 22 in the master terminal 1 is pressed. When the store oven key is operated, the CPU 11 of the master terminal 1 executes a program check process shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, ST(
Step) As step 1, a program version collection command is sent to each satellite terminal 2 via the line 4. Then, in each satellite terminal 2 that received the program version collection command, its own R
Since the program number, so-called program version, of the program stored in the AM is sent to the master terminal 1, each satellite terminal 2 is sent as ST2.
Receive program version information from.

Next, as ST3, the state of the dip switch 15 is read via the I10 boat 16, and in the case of program version printing, the program version of each satellite terminal 2 received as ST4 is sent to the dot printer 1.
9 is driven and controlled to print out the receipt. When the dip switch 15 is on the program version non-printing side, the process of ST4 is not performed.

Next, the program version of each satellite terminal 2 received as ST5 is sequentially compared with the program version of the sales registration business program stored in its own RAM 13.

Then, if the program versions of all satellite terminals 2 match, this process ends.

In contrast, at least one satellite terminal 2
If the program versions do not match, a warning message is sent in ST6 to the satellite terminal 2 in which programs of different program versions are stored in the RAM. Then, the satellite terminal 2 that received this warning message displays a predetermined warning message on the display, locks each key on the keyboard, prohibits sales registration work, and further sends a warning message to the master terminal 1. When a normal response is received from the satellite terminal 2 that sent the warning message in ST7, the sales registration business program recorded on the floppy disk in the FDC 35 is sent from the file controller 3 in ST8. is sent to the satellite terminal 2 that received a normal response.

Then, the satellite terminal 2 that has received the sales registration business program data writes the received program into a predetermined area of the RAM to update the program. Thereafter, each key on the keyboard is unlocked to release the prohibition of sales registration work.

Here, the operation of each satellite terminal 2 in response to the program check processing of the master terminal 1 will be explained in the fifth section.
The flowchart shown in Figure.

In this embodiment, for example, when a store manager selects the "master" job using the mode switch 14 of the master terminal 1 before opening the store and operates the store oven key on the keyboard 22, each satellite terminal 2 RAM l:l: A check of the stored program is carried out by comparing the program versions. If a satellite terminal exists that stores a program different from the program stored in the RAM 13 of the master terminal 1, a warning message is sent to this satellite terminal, and the satellite terminal that received this warning message For example, the sixth
A warning message as shown in the figure is displayed and the keys on the keyboard are locked, prohibiting sales registration operations. Therefore, by performing a program check before the store opens, sales registration operations for satellite terminals that store programs different from those of the master terminal are prohibited. When I try to register for sales, the terminal does not work. As a result, product sales data is not registered on the satellite terminal, so there is no risk that the sales management data for the entire store managed by the file controller 3 by the master terminal 1 will be incomplete.
System reliability can be improved.

In addition, in master terminal 1, after sending the warning message, F is sent to the satellite terminal that sent this message.
The sales registration business program in the floppy disk loaded in the DC 35 is transmitted. The satellite terminal that has received this program data writes the received program into the RAM, updates the program, releases the locked state of each key on the keyboard, and releases the prohibited state of sales registration work. Therefore, since the program is automatically updated, there is no need to manually reload it as in the past, and the burden on the administrator can be reduced.

Further, when the program version is collected from each satellite terminal 2 by the program check, the collection result is printed out on a receipt by the dot printer 19 as shown in FIG. Therefore, since the program versions of each satellite terminal 2 can be output at once on the master terminal 1 side, the administrator can immediately recognize satellite terminals with different program versions and on which a warning message is displayed by looking at the output results.

In the above embodiment, the program version of each satellite terminal 2 is printed out, but a panel display such as a CRT may be used as the display unit 24 to display the program version. It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other POS systems such as in-store POS systems.

It goes without saying that various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, sales registration operations can be prohibited for a POS terminal in which a program different from that of the POS controller is stored, and the sales management data of the entire store can be It is possible to provide a POS system that can improve reliability.

Further, according to claim 2, a program change can be automatically performed on a POS terminal in which a program different from a program possessed by the POS controller is stored,
It is possible to provide a POS system that can reduce the burden on administrators.

Furthermore, according to claim 3, the program number of each POS terminal can be outputted at once on the POS controller side, and a POS terminal in which a program different from the program of the POS controller is stored can be easily recognized.
We can provide an OS system.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures are diagrams showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a master satellite type POS system, in which Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the master satellite type POS system, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the master terminal, Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the file controller, Figure 4 is a flowchart showing program check processing in the master terminal, Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the satellite terminal in response to program check processing, and Figure 6 is a warning message. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a printout of the program version at each satellite terminal. 1...Master terminal, 2...Satellite terminal, 3...File controller, 11゜31・
...CPU, 14...Mode switch, 15...Deep switch, 19...Dot printer, 22...
- Keyboard, 24...Display section, 26.37...Transmission control circuit, 34...File memory, 35...Floppy disk controller (FCC). Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A plurality of POS terminals, each of which executes sales registration operations based on a program stored in its storage unit;
In a POS system comprising a POS controller that connects and controls each of these POS terminals via a line, collects product sales data registered for sale at each POS terminal, and performs sales management, the POS controller is connected to each POS terminal. a command sending means for sending a program number collection command of a program stored in the storage unit to the storage unit; and a program for receiving a program number returned from each POS terminal in response to the collection command sent by the sending means. a number receiving means;
a program number comparing means for comparing the program number of each POS terminal received by the receiving means with the program number of the sales registration business program owned by the terminal; a warning message output means for outputting a warning message to the POS terminal when a POS terminal having the POS terminal is detected; A POS system comprising: a program number response means for responding with a program number of a program; and a registration business prohibition means for prohibiting a sales registration business in response to a warning message from the POS controller. (2) a plurality of POS terminals that execute sales registration operations based on programs stored in their respective storage units;
In a POS system comprising a POS controller that connects and controls each of these POS terminals via a line, collects product sales data registered for sale at each POS terminal, and performs sales management, the POS controller is connected to each POS terminal. a command sending means for sending a program number collection command of a program stored in the storage unit to the storage unit; and a program for receiving a program number returned from each POS terminal in response to the collection command sent by the sending means. a number receiving means;
a program number comparing means for comparing the program number of each POS terminal received by the receiving means with the program number of the sales registration business program owned by the terminal; a warning message output means for outputting a warning message to the POS terminal when a POS terminal owned by the user is detected; and a sales registration business program owned by the user to be sent to the POS terminal that outputs the warning message by the output means. The POS terminal includes program number response means for responding to a collection command from the POS controller with a program number of a program stored in the storage unit, and a program transmission means for transmitting a warning from the POS controller. Registration business prohibition means for prohibiting sales registration business according to the message, and the said PO in a state where sales registration business is prohibited by this prohibition means.
1. A POS system comprising: a program update unit that, upon receiving program data from an S controller, writes the data into the storage unit to cancel the prohibited state of sales registration operations. (3) a plurality of POS terminals that execute sales registration operations based on programs stored in their respective storage units;
In a POS system comprising a POS controller that connects and controls each of these POS terminals via a line, collects product sales data registered for sale at each POS terminal, and performs sales management, the POS controller is connected to each POS terminal. a command sending means for sending a program number collection command of a program stored in the storage unit to the storage unit; and a program for receiving a program number returned from each POS terminal in response to the collection command sent by the sending means. a number receiving means;
A program number output means outputs the program number of each POS terminal received by the receiving means, and compares the program number of each POS terminal received by the receiving means with the program number of the own sales registration business program. and a warning message output means for outputting a warning message to the POS terminal when a POS terminal having a program number different from its own program number is detected by the comparing means, The POS terminal includes a program number response means for responding with a program number of a program stored in the storage unit in response to a collection command from the POS controller, and a sales registration task in response to a warning message from the POS controller. A POS system characterized by comprising means for prohibiting registration operations.